Nissan Drops Pricing On 2026 Nissan Leaf & It's Surprising

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Nissan Drops Pricing On 2026 Nissan Leaf & It's Surprising originally appeared on Autoblog.
Nissan is making a value statement against the EV establishment
Undoubtedly, one of the most hyped vehicles that is set to be released later this year is none other than the 2026 Nissan Leaf. Back in March, the Japanese automaker pegged the radically designed new model as the catalyst of an epic comeback plan that includes a rollout of 10 new and refreshed models by 2027.
By the looks of its pricing announcement on August 19, Nissan clearly has electric vehicle giants like Tesla and General Motors' mainstream Chevrolet brand in its crosshairs. It undercuts not only the uber-popular Model Y but also Chevy's least expensive electric crossover.
Nissan says the '26 Leaf's MSRP of $29,990 is cheaper than what it was 15 years ago.
The newly revamped 2026 Nissan Leaf starts at $29,990 for the S+ grade, a $1,850 price bump from the standard 2025 S model. Though the new model year vehicle commands a four-digit premium, it should be noted that the lowest-priced trim grade for 2026 is the one pegged around the mid-range of the Leaf trim lineup.
Pricing is as follows:
LEAF S+ : $29,990
LEAF SV+ : $34,230
LEAF PLATINUM+ : $38,990
Nissan says that pricing and details for the entry-level LEAF S will be announced at a later date. Per the automaker, its asking price for the S+ is the lowest starting MSRP of any new EV on sale in the United States, a feat that it credits to its "commitment to making EV mobility accessible to all."
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"We've stuck to our mission of engineering EVs that are affordable but packed with value," Nissan U.S. Marketing and Sales SVP Vinay Shahani said in a statement. "That's how we've kept the LEAF's price steady over three generations — all while giving owners more style, more technology, more features and a vastly improved driving range over the original 2011 model."
Compared to the entry-level trims of popular electric crossovers like Tesla's revamped 2025 Model Y and Chevrolet's Equinox EV, the 2026 Leaf S+'s MSRP is about $15,000 less than the lowest-priced trim of the Tesla and just $3,610 less than the standard LT 1 FWD (front-wheel-drive) trim of the Chevy.
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The Leaf has changed inside and out for 2026
For 2026, Nissan decided to turn a new leaf for its most notable electric vehicle, increasing its size to become a crossover SUV to better match its competitors. In addition to bold, new styling that includes distinct elements like a Z-inspired sloped roofline, the new Leaf has a noticeable bump in driving range of up to 303 miles per charge, as well as a built-in NACS (North American Charging Standard) port, which provides access to Tesla Superchargers.
In addition, Nissan says that the new Leaf comes with a suite of new technology features, including standard ProPilot Assist, 360-degree 3D Intelligent Around View, Invisible Hood View, and Front Wide View monitors. Available features include an electrically dimming panoramic moonroof, dual 14.3-inch screens, and Google built-in.
Though the $29,990 Leaf S+ model does not have many of the available features that the higher SV+ and top-of-the-line Platinum+ models have, it remains a contender. Its single motor makes 214 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels and is backed by a 75 kWh lithium-ion battery.
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When compared to the Leaf S+ model, the lowest-priced version of its closest price rival, the $33,600 LT1 FWD Chevrolet Equinox EV, the Equinox has a slight power advantage at 220 horsepower and a battery capacity advantage with its 85 kWh battery. The Chevy is also a much bigger vehicle, boasting 11 more inches in its wheelbase than the Leaf (116.3 vs. 105.9 inches) and more rear legroom (38 vs. 39.9 inches), a larger trunk (26.4 vs. 20 cu. ft behind 2nd row seats), as well as a bigger 17.7-inch screen with Google Built-in as standard.
However, while both the Equinox EV and Leaf can be charged at Tesla Superchargers, the Leaf can be charged adapter-free, thanks to its built-in NACS port. But while the Nissan may have smaller interface screens than the Chevy, Equinox EV owners will have to make do with GM's proprietary software, as the Leaf is still compatible with popular smartphone mirroring like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Final Thoughts
Nissan has not disclosed an exact date for when the new 2026 Leaf will hit dealers, but given the "Fall 2025" timeline, it is likely to fall close to when the $7,500 U.S. Federal EV Tax Credit ends on September 30.
Although the Equinox EV may not be a fair comparison against the Leaf size-wise, given the proposition of the impending loss of the Federal EV Tax Credit, General Motors seems to have a lot to prove with the upcoming Chevrolet Bolt when it comes out sometime next year. It will have to offer a compelling package against the $29,990 Leaf while remaining competitively priced.Nissan Drops Pricing On 2026 Nissan Leaf & It's Surprising first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 19, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.